Editor Raymond Arroyo took great care in selecting quotes and passages to put into this little book of Mother’s teachings. In plan and simple English, Arroyo sets forth Mother’s spirituality and view on the Christian life using her own words from never before publicly released material.

Mother’s words might be simple and plain – and at times comical– but there can be no doubting the truth and profundity with which she speaks. Although Mother uses simple language to express her teachings, this only reflects one of her views on the Christian life as found in this book: that the Christian life is simple. Moreover, the ease of language Mother uses, which adds to the accessibility of her lessons to the common person, also reveals another of her principles for the Christian life: that being, Christianity is for everyone: young, old, smart, simple, sick, and healthy – and she has a lesson for each delivered in a manner that can be understood by all.

Because of its easy readability, this book will make an excellent gift for those adults who recently entered into the Catholic faith. It will also make a great gift for the recently confirmed teen.

Mother's Little Book can be finished easily in a couple of sittings—as I did while recovering from surgery. It is perhaps best read slowly, in short sitting reading only a couple of Mother's teachings at a time. By reading the book in this manner, it will allow the reader to reflect upon Mother's lessons throughout the course of a day, which if taken seriously, can prove beneficial to the spiritual life. I personally enjoyed the book, and I already have plans to reread it but with greater care this time, as I found Mother’s words to be very insightful, inspiring, and challenging.

In short, this book is like having Mother Angelica in your pocket, on your bookshelf, in your purse, or where ever it is you keep this book. It is like having Mother close at hand.

Who Can Benefit from this Book: Anyone and Everyone

Truth speaks louder than any ideology, and Catholic spirituality is universal, so there is no doubt that people from all walks of life, from Catholics to non-catholics, and from charismatic to contemplative who won’t benefit from this little treasury of Mother’s wisdom, wit, and life lessons.

Possible uses for this book:

-Daily Meditations. -Food for Spiritual Journey. -Encouragement -Spiritual Challenges -Reminder of who we as Christians are and what we are doing. -Great resource for prayer, prayer services, and retreats. (If you are a Director of Religious Education in a Parish, this is a sure-fire purchase and money well spent.)

A couple of Favorite short passages: (many of my favorite are too long to reproduce here)

”We’re all trying to get master’s degrees, and so often we forget the Master.”

“If you’re not a thorn in somebody’s side, you’re not doing Christianity right.”

“…if I am living in the imagined pain of tomorrow with the grace I have now, I will always feel at loss.”

“The apostles wouldn’t pass the seminary today. Heck, I doubt if they’d make it past the psychological screening.”

“A queen visited America several years ago, and they asked what most impressed her about America. She said she was very impressed by how the parents obeyed the children! But you see, unless you are trained and taught what it means to be a Christian and your family understands their position before God, all are in danger.”

"Don't be afraid to be frustrated. Look at me, I take a lot of Maalox. Somebody said to me not long ago, 'I'm surprised that a woman of such great faith would have to take Maalox.' I said, 'My friend, my stomach doesn't know about my great faith.'"

About Me

As my picture suggests, I was made in the womb. After residing approximately 9 months there, I noticed that my domicile was shrinking, and if I didn't act quick I was going to be without room. So out I went, and for 31 years I resided in South Louisiana with shorts stays in North Carolina, West Virginia, and one extended stay in Delaware.
I did my Undergrad at Louisiana State University in General Studies, which means I can speak about most things generally or about general things in an knowledgeable manner. I am also a founding Memeber of the LSU-Parousians. I completed my MA in theology from the University of Notre Dame by means of the ECHO program.

Email

Because conversation is what makes blogging fun! All emails are possible material for blog post, so if you don't want it published tell me now or forever gasp and cringe. pcatalan (at) alumni (dot) nd (dot) edu